Distant Voices, Still Lives

I like art films. I like Pete Postlethwaite in other movies he's been in. I don't have a problem with violence per se; "Once Were Warriors" is one of my favorite movies. This movie, however, was terrible. I only sat through it because I was with someone who wanted to see it; otherwise I would have walked out. The scenes seemed to alternate between the family singing together on the one hand, and the Dad beating everybody on the other. That's the whole movie as far as I could tell. Apparently some of you saw more to it than that, and more power to you, but this movie certainly isn't for everybody.

I saw this movie when it opened. I was 16. It floored me. I returned to it again and again during my film school days. I was in my 20s. It continued to floor me. I just dusted it off and watched it after several years without it. I'm 33. It floored me again. I can't get over the singularity of purpose matched with the mastery of craft. Or the ineffable sadness. Or that horrible little man who plays Les. Bestest movie ever. See it repeatedly. Why, oh why, is this film not on DVD? My VHS copy (taped from TV) is not nearly adequate to the task, and letterboxing would surely improve it. Any takers?

Distant Voices, Still Lives is a cartoon of a real, working-class, pithy character and environment analysis. It is not, itself, a real film. It is what happens when somebody manages to drink enough red wine with, play enough golf with, and seduce the daughter of the right financier. I love Art. I really do. It's just this isn't Art. It's a waste of time that pretends its failings are somehow the fault of the audience. Stop making these, there is better work to be done. One star for the bits that are quite pretty. ---

Watching this film about family life evoked so many memories of my own life. Even though the film is set in earlier times than mine and even though the events portrayed were different, it still resonated with me. The feelings, often not through dialogue, but through visual images and songs, were broadcast loud and clear. I was totally absorbed and really did not want it to end.

Distant voices still lives was a very blend and dissapointing film for me since i heard great things about it and that is one of best british films ever made,but this film didnt hit the right notes to me,characters were completly wasted and boring,which is unfortunate since story on paper looks interesting and captivating,i also found that unnecserey singing very annoying and just hard to listen and to focus on story,i would understand if this is a musical but on genre it doesnt says that,also changing between father abusing parts and cherful moments was very poorly made for me,distant voices still lives was a very disposable film to me and i doubt i will watch it any time soon

This film grows on you - the first time I saw it, it was rather bleak and just a bit boring. However, the more you think about it and if you were lucky enough to record it and watch it again, it slowly but surely turns into a masterpiece. The characters, the setting, the atmosphere is true England - England which has all but disappeared. This film is so unique it deserves a place up there with the likes of Citizen Kane, Pelle The Conqueror etc. etc. Don´t miss it!!!

I'm not the sentimental type, I don't know what it was in this movie, the rain, the singing or the sadness of live, but I just got all warm inside. It was such a beautiful film, and it had just the right length too. Very nice.